2024 Awards Archive

Iowa State University & Hy-Line Int.

Dr. Anna Wolc is an Affiliate Assistant Professor in Animal Breeding at Iowa State University and the Genomics Geneticist at Hy-Line Int., which is one of the largest primary breeders for layers in the world. Recently her research has concentrated mostly on the application of genomic information in poultry breeding, improvements in evaluation of longitudinal traits in poultry, and genetics and genomics of disease resistance. Based on this and other collaborative work, she has co-authored 123 peer-reviewed papers, 7 book chapters, 6 review articles, 113 conference papers and abstracts, 11 popular science articles and 12 industry reports. She has been the PI on 2 and Co-PI on 1 grant funded by Polish Ministry of Science and Higher Education, 2 grants funded by Egg Industry Center, and 4 grants funded by USDA. Her research has been recognized and quoted by several research groups across the world and this has impacted the routine genetic improvement programs of the major global breeding companies in both layers and broilers. Dr. Wolc received several awards, including a Scholarship from the Foundation for Polish Science START, American Egg Board Research Award and several traveling grants.

The American Egg Board Research Award is given to the recipient who has increased the interest in research pertaining to all things related to eggs. This could include areas related to egg production, safety, product quality, or egg science technology. This is an annual award.

University of Arkansas

Dr. Dridi, Professor of Avian Endocrinology and Molecular Genetics in the Department of Poultry Science at the University of Arkansas, is one of the pioneer researchers who investigates the molecular mechanisms underlying feed and water efficiency, heat stress responses and metabolic disorders in broilers, as well as the mode of action of feed additives. He earned his M.S. and Ph.D. from The Polytechnic Institute of Lorraine and National Institute of Agricultural Research France, and his HDR from University Paris XI, France. He served as a quality inspector in poultry industry, and he joined several international labs such as UNC at Chapel Hill, UK at Lexington, WVU, KUL Belgium, University of Bordeaux and National Veterinary Institute of Nantes, France. 

Sami has pioneered innovative concepts in poultry molecular nutrition. He has published more than 200 publications (Web of Science and ResearchGate), 13 book chapters, 1 book, edited 1 book and co-edited the Sturkie’s Avian Physiology Edition 7th. His work has been cited 11,020 times with an H-index of 33. He has secured more than $25 M in funding. Dr. Dridi taught classes in Biochemical Nutrition and Poultry Science Graduate Seminar. He is also involved as a guest speaker in several other classes. He advised more than 26 scientists and served in 50 advisory committees. He served on panels for NSF, DFG, PNS, DOD, and LRIC, reviewer for 74 journals, 3 Editorial boards, and he is a member of PSA and WPSA. He served as the President of WPSA-USA and will serve as the scientific chair for the WPC-2026 Toronto. He currently serves the PSA on the Board of Directors and as the Chair for the American Egg Board Research Award & Maurice Stein Fellowship Award Committee. He was the recipient of the Leaders Circle Recognition Award 2023 from Leaders Circle, Canada, John White outstanding Research Award 2023 from the Arkansas Division of Agriculture, and the American Society for Nutrition-Milton L. Sunde Award 2016. 

This award is given to recognize distinctive work demonstrating sound research in poultry nutrition in the last 10 years. This is an annual award.

Clemson University

Dr. Michelle A. “Mickey” Hall received her BS, MS and PhD from the University of Wisconsin – Madison. In 1983, she was employed by Clemson University with a 3-way appointment in the then Poultry Science Department, doing applied research, extension and teaching. The Poultry Science Department was later merged with Dairy and Animal Science and became the Animal & Veterinary Sciences Department. She retired in 2014, but still works for the Clemson University Cooperative Extension Service. Her duties include working as a state poultry specialist with 4-H, Small Flock, and NPIP.

University of Guelph

Tina M. Widowski, PhD (University of Illinois-UC) is Professor of Animal Biosciences at the University of Guelph, Canada.  She has spent over 35 years investigating how housing and management practices affect the behaviour, health  and welfare of farm animals, with an emphasis on pigs and poultry. Over her career, research topics have ranged from more fundamental ethology, including studying motivation for nesting and dustbathing and effects of early life experience on behavioural and physical development to identifying humane methods and best practices for transporting pigs to slaughter and euthanizing compromised animals on farms. From 2007 to 2020, she was Director of the Campbell Centre for the Study of Animal Welfare (CCSAW) at Guelph. During her tenure, CCSAW became the largest group of animal welfare scientists in North America focusing on farm, laboratory and companion animals.

Since her appointment as Egg Farmers of Canada Research Chair in Poultry Welfare in 2011, Widowski has focused most of her research on poultry. Over the last 7 years she has published 74 (out of 82) refereed journal articles and 3 (of 5) book chapters specifically on poultry topics. She been the research leader on several large, multidisciplinary, multi-university research projects that are highly relevant for today’s poultry industries. One of these was on humane methods for killing compromised poultry on farms, including laying hens, turkeys, breeders and broiler chickens. This work built upon previous studies on efficacy of a non-penetrating captive bolt for killing piglets and turkeys which resulted in a commercially available euthanasia device (Zephyr, Bock Industries) and are cited in several animal welfare policy documents including AVMA Euthanasia Guidelines and EFSA Scientific Opinion. Another of her recent projects focused on effects of rearing systems and practices for layer pullets destined for cage free systems. Until recently, there was a paucity of research on growing pullets, and Widowski’s work has added knowledge on the profound and lifelong effects of rearing experience on skeletal and behavioural development that are crucial for hen welfare in complex aviary housing. Finally, Widowski was PI on the largest and most comprehensive comparison (production, health, behaviour, welfare and meat quality) of conventional and slower growing strains of broiler chickens done to date. On these and other projects Widowski collaborated with scientists at Michigan State, Iowa State, Universities of Edinburgh, Saskatchewan, British Columbia and Montana, and McGill University (Shriner’s Hospital, Quebec).

Since 2017, Widowski has supervised/co-supervised) 8 completed and 2 in-stream PhD and 18 completed and 4 in-stream MSc students. Many of her past trainees have academic positions around the world and leadership positions in the poultry industries in Canada. Additionally, Widowski serves(d) on a number of scientific advisory committees including the National Farm Animal Care Council (Canada) Scientific Committees for Pigs, for Turkeys, Broilers and Breeders and for Laying Hens (Chair), and the Code of Practice Development Committee for Laying Hens and Pullets. She also serves on the United Egg Producers Scientists Committee on Animal Welfare in the USA. These scientific advisory positions with industry provide opportunities for Widowski to directly transfer research results to industry practice and to identify the most relevant and pressing research needs of the industry.

The Evonik Corporation award is an annual award given as an achievement award, i.e., for distinctive contributions to poultry science advancement, covering a period of not more than seven years preceding the annual award.

University of Guelph

Christine Baes is a Full Professor, Canada Research Chair in Livestock Genomics, and Department Chair of Animal Biosciences Chair at the University of Guelph. Christine leads a large research program (>$30M total) which includes implementing novel statistical methods to improve the health, welfare, and productivity of farm animals. She is involved in various large-scale livestock breeding projects (turkey, poultry, swine, horses, dairy cattle, goats, sheep, companion animals), and, together with her team, strives to bridge the gap between cutting-edge research and practical application of new knowledge. Christine has extensive knowledge in the areas of novel trait development, quantitative genetics, statistical genomics and genetic and genomic evaluation of livestock. In her spare time, she runs a small farm outside of Maryhill.

University of Arkansas

Dr. Dridi, Professor of Avian Endocrinology and Molecular Genetics in the Department of Poultry Science at the University of Arkansas, is one of the pioneer researchers who investigates the molecular mechanisms underlying feed and water efficiency, heat stress responses and metabolic disorders in broilers, as well as the mode of action of feed additives. He earned his M.S. and Ph.D. from The Polytechnic Institute of Lorraine and National Institute of Agricultural Research France, and his HDR from University Paris XI, France. He served as a quality inspector in poultry industry, and he joined several international labs such as UNC at Chapel Hill, UK at Lexington, WVU, KUL Belgium, University of Bordeaux and National Veterinary Institute of Nantes, France. 

Sami has pioneered innovative concepts in poultry molecular nutrition. He has published more than 200 publications (Web of Science and ResearchGate), 13 book chapters, 1 book, edited 1 book and co-edited the Sturkie’s Avian Physiology Edition 7th. His work has been cited 11,020 times with an H-index of 33. He has secured more than $25 M in funding. Dr. Dridi taught classes in Biochemical Nutrition and Poultry Science Graduate Seminar. He is also involved as a guest speaker in several other classes. He advised more than 26 scientists and served in 50 advisory committees. He served on panels for NSF, DFG, PNS, DOD, and LRIC, reviewer for 74 journals, 3 Editorial boards, and he is a member of PSA and WPSA. He served as the President of WPSA-USA and will serve as the scientific chair for the WPC-2026 Toronto. He currently serves the PSA on the Board of Directors and as the Chair for the American Egg Board Research Award & Maurice Stein Fellowship Award Committee. He was the recipient of the Leaders Circle Recognition Award 2023 from Leaders Circle, Canada, John White outstanding Research Award 2023 from the Arkansas Division of Agriculture, and the American Society for Nutrition-Milton L. Sunde Award 2016. 

The National Chicken Council Broiler Research Award recognizes distinctive research work that has a strong economic impact on the broiler industry, primarily on the economic influence the work has had or will have on the industry. It is an annual award.

The Ohio State University

Michael Cressman, Ph.D., is an Associate Professor-Professional Practice in the Department of Animal Sciences at The Ohio State University. Dr. Cressman received his B.S. degree from Penn State University, and his M.S. and Ph.D. degrees from The Ohio State University. In 2015, he accepted a 100% teaching appointment in the OSU Animal Sciences Department; however, in 2019, Dr. Cressman’s reappointment was changed to encompass 75% teaching and 25% Extension responsibilities. Additional responsibilities include undergraduate student advising; undergraduate and graduate student club advising; co-curricular team advising (coaching); undergraduate and graduate student research advising in the areas of applied poultry and meat science; and poultry youth program development in collaboration with Ohio State Extension, 4-H, and FFA faculty and staff members. He works closely with the Ohio Poultry Association and poultry industries within Ohio for strategically positioning the Ohio State Poultry Science program to best serve the poultry industry. Since 2020, Dr. Cressman has served as a course coordinator and co-instructor for the Midwest Poultry Consortium-Center of Excellence (MPC-COE) program. The MPC-COE program provides undergraduate students, from predominantly midwestern land-grant universities, the opportunity to earn 18 (summer) credits hours from a poultry science-based curriculum.

This award is given to recognize that excellence in teaching is basic to the future welfare of the poultry industry and to aid continued professional improvement through travel, study, and other means. This is an annual award.

University of Georgia

Dr. Brian Fairchild is a native of North Carolina and attended North Carolina State University where he received a BS in Poultry Science, a BS in Animal Science, a MS in Physiology and a PhD in Physiology.  He has been a member of the faculty of the Department of Poultry Science at the University of Georgia for 23 years where he is a professor and extension poultry scientist working in poultry management, poultry house environmental control and energy conservation.  In Georgia he works mostly with broilers but still gets to work with both turkeys, layers and breeders on the environmental control perspective.  Brian travels extensively both domestically and internationally providing seminars on the principles of broiler management and poultry house environmental control. He co-coordinates two ventilation workshops each year that have both national and international attendees.  Much of the work that he has done in the area of poultry house environmental control and energy conservation is available at poultryventilation.com where there are over 350 newsletters.  He is currently serving as the editor in chief for the Journal of Applied Poultry Research and president of the Poultry Science Association.  

This award is given to recognize PSA members for conducting an outstanding program of work in the area of poultry extension and outreach during a five-year period. This is an annual award.

University of Saskatchewan

Dr. Deborah Adewole is an Assistant Professor in Nonruminant Nutrition and Metabolism at the Department of Animal and Poultry Science, University of Saskatchewan. She completed her PhD in 2017 and a postdoctoral fellowship in 2018 from the University of Manitoba. Dr. Adewole joined Dalhousie University in 2018 and then moved to the University of Saskatchewan in September 2023. She has developed an advanced and innovative research program, which applies nutritional strategies to improve poultry gastrointestinal functionality while reducing the use of antibiotics and preventing farm-level antimicrobial resistance through antimicrobial stewardship programs. Her current research centres on nutrition, metabolism, nutrigenomics, and physiology, with the overall aim of improving production efficiency and sustainability of non-ruminant animals. She has acquired over 2.0 million dollars in research funding as PI from NSERC, Mitacs, CPRC, CFC, EFC, etc., and an additional 2.5 million dollars submitted as PI and co-PI. She is currently an Associate Editor for the Canadian Journal of Animal Science, Chair for the Poultry Science Association Teaching Committee, and Secretary/Treasurer for the World Poultry Science Association. She has trained over 25 HQPs, including undergraduate and graduate students, postdoctoral fellows, and research assistants/associates, and published over 40 peer-reviewed scientific publications with a cumulative H-index of 15 and 52 conference abstracts/presentations. Deborah is highly committed to the pursuit of equity, diversity, and inclusion in STEM; she is the co-founder of African Youths in Canadian Agriculture (AYCA), a non-profit organization created to increase the representation of African students in the field of Agriculture in Canada.

This award recognizes the achievements of PSA members in the early stages of their career in poultry research. It is given every other year.

University of Arkansas

Dr. Adnan Alrubaye is an assistant professor of poultry microbiology and the associate director of the graduate program in Cell and Molecular Biology at the Poultry Science Department, University of Arkansas. He was born and raised in the South region of Iraq, and completed his bachelor’s degree in Veterinary Medicine from the College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Baghdad, in 2000. He earned a Master’s degree in Medical Microbiology from the College of Medicine, University of Baghdad. He earned a master’s degree in science education and a doctoral degree in Cell and Molecular Biology from the University of Arkansas. He teaches one of the largest courses at the University of Arkansas, General Microbiology, with an average enrollment of more than 450 students. In addition, he teaches domestic animal microbiology classes and laboratories. He is a poultry microbiologist studying the etiology and mitigation measures of Bacterial Chondronecrosis with Osteomyelitis BCO lameness in broiler chickens. Dr. Alrubaye received the University of Arkansas Imhoff Award for Outstanding Teaching and Student mentorship, the Bumpers College  Jack G. Justus Award for Teaching Excellence, the UA Most Outstanding Faculty Member from the University of Arkansas Associated Students Government, the Collis Geren Award for Excellence in Graduate and International Education, the Hoyt H. Purvis Awards for Service in International Education, the Outstanding New Faculty Advisor of the Year Award, the Golden Tusk Award, the Outstanding Mentor Award, the Dr. John Imhoff Outstanding Research Publication Award, the Faculty Applause Award, the Dr. John Imhoff Outstanding Research Publication Award and the Outstanding Honors Faculty Mentor Awards.

This award recognizes the achievements of PSA members in the early stages of their career in the poultry industry. It is given every other year.

University of Saskatchewan

Karen Schwean-Lardner is a Professor in the Department of Animal and Poultry Science, College of Agriculture and Bioresources, University of Saskatchewan. Her work is often multidisciplinary, and focuses on how the management of broilers, turkeys and laying hens impacts both productivity and welfare.

Karen's training began at the University of Saskatchewan. After her B.Sc, Karen worked in the feed industry in Saskatchewan for 6 years, then returned to the U of S. She completed her MSc under the supervision of Hank Classen while working full-time as a technician for the Poultry Research Centre. A few years post MSc, she began a PhD program (completed in 2012), while working full-time, as the Manager of the Research Centre. In 2014, she was hired as an Assistant Professor.

Karen has served the Poultry Science Association in a number of capacities. Her first role was as a teller for the Business Meeting when she was a MSc student. Since that time, she has been a member of numerous committees, Chair to a committee, served as the Program Chair for the 2019 PSA Meeting in Montreal, Canada, judged student competitions at numerous PSA meetings, reviewed manuscripts for both PSA and JAPR, member of the Board of Directors 2015-2018, then again in 2019-2023 in an executive capacity (President 2021-2022) and still serves as an Associate Editor for JAPR.

Poultry Innovation Partnership

Brenda Reimer grew up on a mixed farm near Edmonton, Alberta, Canada. Her educational background spans across several disciplines (English, Music and Science) and has equipped her with the theoretical foundation and practical skills necessary to excel in her role as the Knowledge Mobilization Specialist for the Poultry Innovation Partnership. In 2023, Brenda returned to actively farming with her dad and brother, which provides a unique perspective to her work with the Poultry Innovation Partnership. Brenda is dedicated to fostering connections that empower communities and organizations. Brenda serves on several boards in her local community and nationally. In her 'spare' time Brenda enjoys travel, hiking with her husband Brent, quilting and the simple joy of reading a good book.

This award acknowledges the contributions by support personnel and to recognize outstanding support of research, extension, or teaching programs in poultry science. This is an annual award.

Fieldale Farms- Retired 2023

Dr. David L. Wicker joined Fieldale Farms as Director of Nutrition/Technical Services in the Live Production Division from 1995 – 2007. In 2007, promoted to Director of Live Operations, and to Vice President, Live Production in November 2010. He has been with Fieldale for 29 years, retiring December 31, 2023.

Wicker is from a poultry farming family in South Carolina and graduated from Clemson University with a degree in Poultry Science and a doctorate in Nutrition and Biochemistry. He has over 50 years in the poultry industry. Prior to joining Fieldale Farms, Dr. Wicker worked in applied technology and animal research at Degussa Corporation. He also managed a breeder/hatchery program and directed the nutrition/feed program for Bayshore Foods.

Wicker is a member of the Poultry Science Association, American Feed Industry Association Nutrition Council, Sigma Xi, the South Carolina Poultry Federation, and the Georgia Poultry Federation. He has served on the South Carolina Poultry Federation Board of Directors since 2006 and served as Chairman of the Board of Directors for 2012-2013, a member of the National Chicken Council, the NCC Grow-out Committee, and recently the NCC Animal Welfare Guidelines Revision Committee, and a member of the IPWA Broiler Welfare Committee. He is a member of Trinity United Methodist Church.

Wicker has served as an Adjunct Professor at Clemson University College of Agriculture, Forestry and Life Sciences, and has served on review and advisory committees for the University of Georgia, Department of Poultry Science and the Dean of the Georgia College of Agriculture and Environmental Science for 10 years. He is currently serving on the Executive Board of the SC Department of AG ACRE Competitive Grant Program and the Industry Advisory Board at Georgia Tech's Agricultural Technology Research Program.

This award recognizes distinctive, outstanding contributions by an industry leader or leaders based upon a broad, even nonscientific, contribution to the poultry industry.

University of Kentucky

Dr. Anthony Pescatore is an extension professor and associate chair in the Department of Animal and Food Sciences at the University of Kentucky. He received his B.S. and M.S. at Michigan State University, his PhD. from Texas A&M University, and his M.B.A. from Wilmington University. Since the time he gave his first presentation at his first PSA meeting in 1977 as a student member, he has served in various capacities for PSA . Dr. Pescatore was elected second VP of PSA in 2001 and served as President in 2004. During this time as an officer of the Poultry Science Association, the PSA Foundation was formed and  the WPSA-USA branch was merged into PSA. The financial resources of WPSA-USA branch were entrusted to PSA and were placed into the PSA Foundation. Dr. Pescatore has served on the PSA Foundation Board of Trustees three times. Dr. Pescatore served as the Program Chair-elect of the 2000 PSA meeting and as the Program Chair of the 2001 joint meeting (PSA, American Society of Animal Science, American Dairy Science Association, and the American Meat Science Association).  Dr. Pescatore was elected as a director to the PSA board of directors in 1996. During his service on this board, the Journal of Applied Poultry Research was purchased. Dr. Pescatore served on or chaired eight different PSA committees. He has served as the Parliamentarian at the PSA Business meeting for over a decade. He has authored or coauthored over 220 abstracts that have been presented at PSA meetings. He served the annual meeting as local host three times, as symposium speaker, as session chair and student paper evaluator. 

He served as one of the PSA representatives on the inaugural Federation of Animal Science Societies (FASS) Board of Directors. He eventually served as the FASS President in 2007. He went on to serve a  second term as the FASS President. During his time with FASS, he represented Poultry Scientists at various government programs and agencies including being the representative to the 2002 Food Animal Integrated Research Program. He also served on the 2012 Food Animal Integrated Research Program Committee as well as testifying at the National Academy of Science on the need for expanded funding for Animal Agriculture.. 

He is a PSA Fellow and served/chaired the PSA Fellows committee from 2010 to 2013. In recognition of his contribution in his field, he was awarded the Pfizer Extension Award (1993) and the Phibro Extension Award (2015) by PSA. Dr. Pescatore is a member of the Kentucky Poultry Hall of Fame. He received the M.D. Whiteker Award for Excellence in Extension Programming.

North Carolina State University

Andrea Rubio is currently a post-doc in animal food production at NC State University. She earned a B.Sc. in Agricultural Engineering from Zamorano in Honduras in 2015. After interning at Louisiana State University, she was granted a research assistantship in the Department of Poultry Science at Auburn University where she earned her M.Sc. in Poultry Science under the direction of Dr. Wilmer Pacheco. Soon after, she realized that she wanted to keep doing research by further connecting poultry nutrition and feed manufacturing. After completing her master's, she enrolled in a Ph.D. program in Poultry Science and Nutrition at NC State. Andrea's research focused on developing novel methodologies and technologies to evaluate feed quality parameters during mixing and pelleting and their subsequent impact on broiler growth performance. During her time in Dr. Adam Fahrenholz's lab, she has participated as a teaching assistant in the Feed Manufacturing Technology Laboratory to engage students through interactive and analytical assignments involving the feed manufacturing process flow and encourage their interest in the poultry and feed science fields. She wants to further advance the poultry industry by utilizing emerging feed technologies to monitor feed process processing parameters in real-time and use this information to improve animal growth performance while optimizing the incorporation of feed ingredients or additives in poultry diets.

This award is given to a graduate student for the presentation and publication as senior author of an outstanding research manuscript in Poultry Science® or The Journal of Applied Poultry Research.

University of Connecticut

Jodie Allen is a Ph.D. student at the University of Connecticut whose research aims to develop novel antibiotic alternatives to control Salmonella Enteritidis in poultry and on post-harvest products such as eggs. Jodie earned her B.S. and M.S. degrees in Animal Science at the University of Connecticut. During her M.S. program (2020-2022), Jodie investigated the antimicrobial potential of nanoemulsions for improving the microbiological safety of table and embryonated eggs, under the supervision of Dr. Abhinav Upadhyay. Specifically, Jodie has employed nanoencapsulation technology to develop phytochemical-based nanoemulsions as antimicrobials to troubleshoot the low solubility of hydrophobic oils in aqueous solutions which thwarts their application as shelled egg disinfectants. From her M.S. work, she received the Connecticut Board of Trustees Eastern States Exposition Graduate Student Scholarship (2022-2023) for her research on poultry product safety and service to the Connecticut poultry community. Moreover, she successfully published manuscripts in Poultry Science focused on table and embryonated egg safety with an aim to integrate safe and effective disinfectants in the egg industry. After completion of her M.S. degree, Jodie resumed her studies in Dr. Upadhyay's laboratory pursuing the doctoral program (2022-present) studying the field of poultry microbiology and safety. Her primary areas of interest include reduction of pathogen dissemination in the poultry industry using phytochemical nanoemulsions for improving bird and human health. She aspires that her novel findings will contribute to a research program focused on improving egg safety by developing a better understanding of pathogen survival in poultry and effect of various natural interventions.

This award is given to a graduate student whose training and research in applied poultry sciences may lead to improvements in efficiency and profitability of the egg industry; particularly research that has the potential to have a positive financial impact on the egg industry.